Accreditation Canada Diagnostics is pleased to announce the laboratory services at the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA), a member-based, non-profit organization operating 18 licensed, acute-care, hospital-based laboratories that service clinical programs across the Champlain Region of Eastern Ontario has achieved ISO 15189 Plus™ accreditation. In choosing this option, the organization and facilities send a clear signal of commitment to quality for staff, patients, and other healthcare providers.

We are pleased to share the expected release of Version 9 of the Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics Medical Laboratory Accreditation Requirements will be in Spring 2023, followed by the Version 5 Diagnostic Imaging Requirements in Fall 2023. The release of the new set of requirements was delayed as it depended on the release of a new version of ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence, which was published December 6, 2022.

This January, Accreditation Canada Diagnostics celebrated 20 years of medical diagnostic accreditation. With over 300 sites accredited against ISO 15189 Plus™ requirements in Canada and internationally, the program provides facilities with the tools required to standardize processes, mitigate risk, and enable continual quality improvement, ultimately achieving competency excellence recognized around the world.

Every three years, in December, Accreditation Canada Diagnostics (formerly IQMH) releases a new version of its accreditation requirements. We are currently preparing Version 9 of the accreditation requirements but anticipate a release date of spring 2023.

This article is written by Rob Kerekes, Accreditation Canada Diagnostics Accreditation Assessor; and Manager of Laboratory Services, South Huron Hospital Association

During this difficult time of hospital budget constraints and stress on staff and workload, the South Huron Hospital Association (SHHA) decided to invest in a laboratory renovation project to improve safety, efficiency and aesthetics.

Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) play an essential role in the healthcare system, delivering professional imaging and radiation-related treatment services with a caring touch, allowing patients to fully benefit from the latest in medical diagnostic and treatment technology.

Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW) is an annual campaign that began in 2005 to inspire improvement in patient safety and quality. This initiative is now part of the newly amalgamated Healthcare Excellence Canada, an organization which works with patients and other partners to deliver lasting improvement in patient safety and experience, work life of healthcare providers, value for money and the health of everyone in Canada.

On November 30, 2020, IQMH and Accreditation Canada moved forward with their planned integration by welcoming the IQMH Centre for Accreditation to the Accreditation Canada family. IQMH Centre for Accreditation has been rebranded as Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostics. The IQMH Centre for Education and Echocardiography (EQI) services are also part of this transfer, while the IQMH Centre for Proficiency Testing remains within IQMH as a controlled affiliate of Accreditation Canada.